St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1887-07-28

/ TO stop, TOT L am OOunu TO get some
milk for that baby
"sNot much. Behind time now, and
hadn't you better keep a civil tongue
in your iawsf Otherwise, you're like
ly to get them jaws broke, and like.
wise put off the cars
"The talk of the two was so loud
and threatening, that some of the pas
sengers heard it. Jumping upon one
of the seats, Hiram addressed the pas
sengers: Ladies' and gentlemen said
he, 'but most especially ladies, 1 want
your kind attention. On this train
in this car-there is little baby
whose mother is just dead. That ba-
by is going to perish right here before
your eyes for the want of drop OF
milk. Here is a conductor who won't
stop this train so as to save the life OF
that poor little child. put it to you
shall this train stop, so that can get
some milk, or are you willing that the
baby should die, all on account of a
lunk-head of a conductor
"'By jabersi Dime wild you and
the young woman livery tonne, said a
big Irishman.
"'Dat is jous so,' chimed in a Ger
man. Then all the women joined in a
chorus, and cried, Shame shame y
"'But,' said the conductor, some
what scared at the storm he had rails
ed, there isn't any milk at the next
stopping place-nor at the next sta
ton, neither
"'Can't you stop at some farm house
then p asked Hiram.
"'There isn't house along the line
of the road for the next twenty i've
miles,
"'There must be cows somewhere
in the pastures insisted Hiram B.
Stebbins.
4" And who's to milk them, prOvid-
ing we see any p asked the conductor,
scratching his head.
"' Is there any lady in this car that
can milk cow p inquired Hiram. No
one responding, it seemed likely that
no milkmaid was aboard.
?" well, [ can milk cow said Hi
ram. Il MIXED herd of 'em twenty
five years ago, and am not ashamed OF
it. Now, Mr.. Conductor, now that you
seem amenable to reason, you will let
me go forward, and when | spot a COW
the engineer has got to stop the train,
for am bound to find some milk for
that baby
"'Oh, the dear, thoughtful man,
said all the women, and Bully for yOu!'
cried the men.
"Stebbins went forward and took his
place at the engine, and | followed
him. Cows were scarce in that prairie
region. Steers there were in plenty,
and horses, but no cows. Sometimes
the train would slack up for moment
as some cattle were seen in the dis
lance, but they were not of the milk
able kind. A half hour passed, when
across some fences, a half mile distant,
a real true for true cow was seen quiet
ly grazing. She was red COW, just
that color said to give the sweetest
milk. Hiram's quick eye had sighted
her at once. He made motion to
stop the train and we dOwned brakes
without whistling, for we were afraid
to brighten off that COW. One of the
brakemen had tin butter kettle, and
that had been secured clean, and off
started Hiram on a full run.
'FOr strange man to get to close
quarters with strange COW is no easy
after. Hiram B. was evidently a
master in that art of COW cOrralling.
At first the COW seemed to avoid Hi
ram. She turned and doubled, and we
were afraid we would lose her. We
could all see the cow stalking from the
cars, and the excitement was intense.
Hiram B. managed things beautifully.
Maybe she was kind of providential
COW. He was bold, yet cOnciliatOry.
At last Hiram, after quarte@ of an
hours hard work, cOrnered that COW.
What if she were dry ? No, she wasn't.
There was Hiram B. on his knees,
working away On the COW for dear life.
We all waved our handkerchiefs to
him and the COW. At last he seemed
to have drained the COW dry. There
were fences to climb, and some of
them barbed wire ones. What if Hi
ram should drop his butter kettle or
spill it's precious contents Finally
he reached the cars, and never was a
hero more warmly greeted; even the
conductor was pleasant to him. The
men hOllered themselves hoarse, and
that excited. One old lady had just
smothered Hiram B. Stebbins with her
kisses. Anyhow, that poor baby got
his fill of good, sweet, fresh milk, stop
ped crying, and came through safe"
"No sequel 2" asked some of the lis
teners.
"Not that know of. Hiram didn't
marry the pretty girl who was taking
care of the baby. l met him three
weeks ago, going north from Atlanta.
He was still travelling with feathers
and women tixings. He gave me "a
Kind of surly nod-the oldest old
'ough diamond you ever 'skeered up